Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXX, China

300. Telegram From the Embassy in the Republic of China to the Department of State¹

Taipei, February 14, 1968, 1045Z.

2154. For Bundy from McConaughy. Subject: China Policy Speech February 16. Ref: State 114300.²

1. From standpoint of our relations here it is regrettable that speech along lines reftel is to be made. It will be construed as accepting and enhancing the Communists on the mainland and relegating GRC to status of small island regime and even obliquely raising some question as to legitimacy of GRC presence on Taiwan. Chinese here will be dismayed, discouraged and puzzled as to reasons for what they will interpret as a notable policy shift at a time when ChiCom record and prospects more dismal than ever, and GRC record more impressive than ever before.

2. My immediate appraisal is that adverse effects will somewhat exceed even the strong negative reaction anticipated by you. I do not anticipate a violent explosive reaction, but the suspicions and resentments engendered by assumed policy change striking at the foundations of GRC position will continuously inject a corrosive element into our relationship. There are enough variables and unknowns in the equation to make me hesitant to attempt to evaluate at this stage the precise extent of the probable damage, but it will be cumulative and substantial.

3. Speech may have adverse effect on ChiRep issue. UN member countries may be influenced by fact that speech as drafted indicates that US is treating GRC and mainland China as separate political entities, each controlling certain territory.

4. The GRC’s present leadership does not have sufficient flexibility to accept what it will consider a major change in US policy and then engage in constructive dialogue with US concerning long range accommodation to a position confined to Taiwan.

5. There should be ways to ameliorate the adverse effects, and we here of course will be using all of our resources to this end. We would be helped if you could change two passages which would have particularly grievous effect here, as follows:

(A) In paragraph 5, change third sentence to read: “The Government of the Republic of China is the only Chinese Government which the United States recognizes, and the United States deals with the government on all matters of common interest.”³

(B) Delete first sentence of paragraph 6, which would provoke strongest adverse reaction.⁴

McConaughy

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 1 CHICOM-US. Secret; Priority; Exdis.
2. Document 298.
3. In the text of Bundy’s speech as delivered, this sentence reads as follows: “The United States recognizes the Republic of China and deals with that Government on all matters of common interest.” The text is in Department of State, ACA Files: Lot 71 D 144, EA/ACA Drafted Speeches, 1967–1968.
4. In the text of Bundy’s speech as delivered, this sentence reads as follows: “Any final resolution concerning Taiwan should in all events meet with the approval of the Government of the Republic of China and its people whose interests are most directly affected.”